The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-16
THE OLD GENERALS.
sherman and sheridan Talk to the Cadets.


Sixty-four cadets were graduated from the
United States Military Academy at West Point
last Saturday. As usual when the weather is
fair, the exercises were held under the trees in
front Of the library. Gen. Sheridan was the
chief dignitary present. but Gen. Sherman was
even a greater center of attraction. On the
platform were Gems Sheridan. Sherman, Mer-
rift, academical and military staff. the board OF
visitors. of which g. w. Childs was President,
and other distinguished guests. The graduat-
ing class occupied place of honor aud their
comrades took seats behind them. Gen. Mer-
rift, Superintendent Of the Post presided. The
Chaplain offered prayer, all cadets standing
meanwhile. After the band had played Ma
tional air. Rev. John w. Brown, ID. d., of Buff
falo, delivered an address on behalf OF the board
of visitors. His theme was character and duty.
Gen. Sherman was the neNtspeaker. He talked
in humorous vein. He started out by asking
an apology for reading his speech. He said he
never had read one before lie pulled out
hig roll of manuscript and began 20 read. He
he had not read five lines before he looked up
aud began 10 tell funny story, and that
was the last of the manuscript lie threw
il aside aud never referred 10 il again. He
said occasions like this always made him
humorous lie laughed TO see how wise and
dignifcd these young fellows looked. rs though
each of their Young heads contained all the
glorious confidence, what magnificent inno-
cence," he exclaimed. The roar of laughter
that greeted this made the old General forget
all about his written address and he struck out
into one of his characteristic speeches. which
Was frequently punctuatcd by hearty laughter
and applause by the audience.
Gen. Sheridan was the last speaker. He well
coined the graduates into the ranks of the army.
lie urged them 90 do their duty in the best way
they knew how; 10 be good to their men and
then their men would be good 10 them. lie
said young officers should not ask influential
friends 10 help them. " never get any OF
that kind of help. When was appointed Lieu
tenant resolved 10 be irst-class one, aud 10
perform my duties in the very best way knew
how. i worked hard aud the result was, when
there was a vacancy among the Captains, got
IL. A month later the Governor OF Michigan
was looking for a Colonel aud some one said,
There is sheridan, take him was good to
my men, gave them plenty 10 eat and made
each man feel / was his friend. The result
was | got TO be a Brigadier- General All the
help got was from my men. | worked hard,
and often far into the night while others were
asleep. making maps of roads. They never
could fool me about road lie traced his
advancement step by STEP and said IL was all
owing 10 the fact that he always tried 10 do his
duty. lie then handed the cadets their di-
plomas.
Francis Il. Skunk, of Pennsylvania, was the
first 10 step forward, but the applause that
greeted him rs the highest man in tho class
was as nothing compared with the thunderous
hand-clapping awarded colored cadet Alexander
for winning 32d place in the class.
The cadets marched back TO the barracks
and when the order 10 break came made dash
for their quarters, where they DOTTED their
gray and reappered in civilian clothing. None
of them were put under the pump" rs was
once the custom. They have been granted a
furlongh of two months, and in few weeks
will receive assignments in the army.